Knob for seat-angle adjuster of motor-vehicle seat

Abstract

A knob is used on an adjustment member rotatable about an axis and having a periphery formed with a plurality of radially outwardly open recesses. This member may be the adjustment member of a motor-vehicle seat-angle adjuster. The knob comprises an annular collar closely surrounding the periphery of the adjustment member, a plurality of entrainment formations projecting inwardly from the collar into every other recess, and a plurality of hooks each engaging axially through the remaining recesses with the member. The hooks and the formations together transmit angular force between the member and the knob which is made of synthetic-resin material as one integral piece.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
       1. In combination with an automotive-vehicle seat-angle adjustment device having a pair of hinge parts and means including an adjustment member rotatable about an axis and having a periphery formed with a plurality of radially outwardly open recesses for varying the relative position of said hinge parts, a knob having an annular collar closely surrounding said periphery,   a plurality of entrainment formations projecting radially inwardly from said collar into respective recesses, and   a plurality of radially outwardly deflectable hooks each engaging axially through a respective recess with said member, said hooks alternating with said formations around said periphery and each having a stem engaging through the respective recess and a hook head engaging behind said member, whereby said hooks and said formations can transmit force angularly between said member and said knob.   
     
     
       2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein each of said formations is generally U-shaped and has a bight portion and a pair of shanks extending radially between said bight portion and said collar. 
     
     
       3. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said collar and said periphery are circular. 
     
     
       4. The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said knob is formed with bearing ribs extending generally from said bight portions and lying against said member. 
     
     
       5. The combination defined in claim 4, wherein said ribs extend angularly from said portions. 
     
     
       6. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said heads have camming surfaces inclined to said axis, whereby said hook heads can be snapped over said periphery at the respective recesses. 
     
     
       7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said knob is unitarily made of resilient synthetic-resin material. 
     
     
       8. The combination defined in claim 7, wherein said knob has an end wall lying generally perpendicular to said axis and entirely covering said collar and an outer edge formed with a plurality of angularly equi-spaced radially extending bosses.